System for automatic configuration of a mobile communication system

ABSTRACT

A communication system includes a receive antenna for receiving communication signals, processing circuitry for processing the received communication signals and repeating the signals for further transmission and at least one transmit antenna for transmitting the repeated signals. The processing circuitry utilizes configurable settings for controlling the operation of the communication system and the configurable settings are variable for varying the operation of the system. The processing circuitry is further operable for receiving inputs regarding current operating conditions of the communication system and for selectively adapting the configurable settings of the system based upon the operating condition inputs.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to mobile communication systems, such as repeatersand distributed antenna systems generally and, more specifically, to amobile communication system that operates in an environment havingchanging conditions and changing locations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Repeaters, distributed antenna systems, and similar systems arecommunications systems that are used to extend coverage into areas wherethe RF penetration from base stations (BTS) is limited or not present.Those areas might be inside buildings, in tunnels, shadowed areas thatare behind mountains, underground train systems, and various otherisolated areas. Generally, applications for such communications systemsare for situations where the repeater or distributed antenna system isimmobile and is mounted in a location. That is, it is a fixedinstallation. In other applications, the area that has limited signalpenetration of the RF signals is mobile. That is, the repeater ordistributed antenna system is mobile and is installed in a moving ormobile system such as a train, a ship, a car, a bus or an airplane.

A configuration for a mobile communication system, such as a repeater ora distributed antenna system (DAS system) typically has variousconfiguration parameters or operational settings that include, forexample, filter definitions (Start and Stop frequency or centerfrequency and bandwidth, filter type), gain settings and/or set powerlevel settings for each filter section, modem or communication settings,and general operational settings (On/Off).

In mobile applications, the areas that the moving system is travellingthrough might not allow the system to keep the same configuration orconfiguration parameters for proper operation. For example, as avehicle, such as a train or bus, moves from one cellular coverage areato another, the established frequency subbands and standards availablefor network communication may change. Various other operationalconditions may change as well. It would be desirable for a mobilecommunication system or other mobile RF transmission system toaccommodate these changes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An adaptive system or method provides selective adaptation or variationof a communication system's operational configuration to automaticallyadapt to changing details within its environment. A controllerassociated with the communication system determines operational andenvironmental conditions from a variety of factors and inputs. Thecontroller sets the repeater to an operational configuration appropriateto the determined operational and environmental conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a repeater system for use in a mobile environment inaccordance with aspects of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the components in an exemplary repeateraccording to the invention.

FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating the components in an exemplarydistributed antenna system according to the invention.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process forselectively varying or adapting repeater configuration according to theinvention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating another exemplary process forselectively varying or adapting a repeater configuration including ahysteresis provision according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The examples disclosed herein of an adaptive communication system in amobile environment are exemplary of the invention and do not limit thescope of the invention. One skilled in the art will recognize a varietyof applications and embodiments of the invention from the disclosureherein. Illustration and discussion are for an exemplary repeater butthe system might also be a distributed antenna system, or some othersystem that transceives and/or repeats communication signals between asignal source (e.g., a base station) and mobile equipment (e.g., a cellphone).

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary mobile communication system 10 that acts aspart of a mobile communication network by facilitating communicationbetween one or more base stations 20 and one or more mobile devices 30that are in use in a mobile platform or moving environment, such as on atrain 40. Although the exemplary adaptive communication system 10 isshown on a train 40, the system may be disposed in any other appropriatemobile environment, such as in a plane, ship, or automotive vehicle. Theinvention's use is not limited to the disclosed examples.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of one embodiment of an adaptive mobilerepeater 10. A donor antenna 12 transmits and receives (or transceives)signals with one or more base stations 20. A coverage antenna 14transceives signals with one or more mobile devices 30. Within therepeater 10, a processor/controller 50 receives information about themobile environment and uses this information to maintain or selectivelyvary or adapt the configurable repeater settings of the adaptiverepeater. The controller may be linked to various external devices orsources using appropriate interfaces 42 for providing the system withthe information it needs to adapt. On-board measurement devices 18, suchas a GPS, clocks, or speedometers, for example, send data to thecontroller 50 using appropriate interfaces. Additionally, other externaldevices/sources using interfaces 42, such as devices/systems associatedwith the mobile vehicle, also contribute to the controller 50. System 10has appropriate interface circuitry for such inputs/outputs. Theinterfaces provide information regarding current operating conditions ofthe repeater. System 10 has appropriate memory and/or may accessexternal memory, such as through other appropriate inputs. A graphicaluser interface (GUI) 16 may also be used to allow a user to input andoutput data and for other user control of the adaptive repeatersettings. FIG. 2A illustrates another possible embodiment for theinvention, including a distributed antenna system 10 a that has multipledistribution or transmission antennas 14 a, 14 b, 14 c with othersimilar elements having similar reference numerals as in FIG. 2.

Information about the repeater environment and operating conditions thatmay be handled by interface 42 may include, for example, the repeater'sgeographical location, the properties of the mobile network that itlinks to or “sees”, properties of received signals, the location andproperties of base stations that interface with the repeater, anddetails about the local mobile environment in which the repeater issituated or moving. This list of exemplary conditions and information isnot exhaustive; other information may be available for use inconfiguring the systems 10, 10 a.

Furthermore, various types of information might be used to adapt thesystem of the invention. That is, different inputs might reflect thecurrent operating conditions (e.g., location, network properties, signalproperties, etc.) and might be used in various combinations to adapt thesystem.

Location Information

As one set of inputs through interface 42, a mobile communication systemmay receive coordinate information indicating the system's geographicallocation. The repeater may collect these location coordinates directly,such as through its on-board positioning system such as satellitereferences (GPS) or terrestrial signals (LORAN). Alternatively, thesystem and controller 50 may be fed location coordinates through anotherconnected system. For example, a positioning system on board a vehiclemay be in communication with a central system that controls routing andscheduling information for the vehicle or mobile platform, such as train40. The central system then conveys coordinates directly to the adaptivecommunication system 10 or to other equipment on board the vehicle thatis then fed to the adaptive repeater.

A base station 20 may also communicate its location (either its absoluteposition or its location relative to the repeater), using coordinatesignals such as GPS coordinates transmitted by a BTS. For example, aCDMA system base station sends location coordinates. Those locationcoordinates may then be used and compared against a list of coordinates.The base station might also provide its transmitting and receivingfrequency bands, its network configuration, information aboutneighboring base stations, and other relevant information. Thisinformation may also be used to adapt the repeater system of theinvention. This information may be conveyed by a broadcast controlchannel associated with a base station, for example.

Location information may also be arrived at indirectly through the useof other received data. For example, data that identifies the origin ofa network or signal, information about the location of a base station,vehicle itinerary information, or even user-input location informationmay be used to determine location for the purpose of selectivelyadapting the repeater system to vary its operation. Therefore, thelocation of the mobile system, the location of the network and basestations or both might be used for selectively adapting the mobilesystem of the invention.

Network Properties

In another embodiment of the invention, properties of a network that therepeater interfaces with may be directly communicated to the repeater asan operating condition for the purpose of adapting the repeater system.Base stations may transmit various system information elements that areused by controller 50 to identify the base station. In the case of a GSMnetwork, the codes received may include a mobile country code (MCC),mobile network code (MNC), cell identity code (Cl), location area code(LAC), network color code (NCC), or a base station color code (BCC).These various system codes are used for GSM/UMTS networks. If anothernetwork, such as a CDMA network, is in use, other different codes may betransmitted by a base station. A base station may transmit otheridentifying network signals associated with the properties of thenetwork so that the repeater knows its current operating conditions. Therepeater or other system then adapts to operate properly in theproximate network. Such network codes may be applicable to one frequencygroup, which represents an operator's frequency subbands within one RFband.

Properties of a network can also be determined through the use of otherdata inputs. Where network properties are tied to a physical location, arepeater may be able to use its location or the location of a proximatebase station to arrive at information about a network.

Signal Properties

Additionally, the presence and strength of a signal in certain frequencyband and subband ranges may indicate certain network properties andcertain operating conditions. A repeater may be able to directly measurethe signal frequency band, signal strength, or degree of signaldistortion. Signal properties may also be communicated to the repeaterthrough other inputs.

For example, the signal level of the received signal strength indicator(RSSI) or the signal level of a decoded signal, (a broadcast or beaconchannel (BCCH) for GSM or a pilot signal) within a particular operator'sfrequency subband, might be monitored to determine current operatingconditions. For example, looking at the RSSI level at a certainfrequency may indicate a particular location of the repeater or thatcertain frequencies exist in certain areas. If the inputs to interface42 of the repeater system 10 detect energy in a certain frequency range,the repeater system might be adapted for that particular scenario.Therefore, signal conditions and properties of the signals detected bythe repeater may be used to reflect current operating conditions andused to therefore adapt the repeater system according to the invention.

Environmental Details

Relevant details of the local mobile environment may also be used forselective adaptation according to the invention. They might includespeed, ambient temperature, lightning conditions, time of day, wirelessnetwork traffic load/congestions, the presence of obstacles to RFtransmission (e.g., presence in a building or tunnel), and logisticalinformation (such as whether a vehicle currently has passengers). Arepeater may be set up to measure one or more local details orconditions directly (such as an on-board motion detector, light meter,or clock). Alternatively, local conditions may be received from anoutside input through interface 42, such as a vehicle controller. Localconditions may also be derived from other data, such as the use of GPSdata over time to determine speed, for example.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, specific input signalsets or data sets reflective of different operating conditions, and theknowledge of such conditions are used to configure the repeater or othercommunication system automatically to accommodate the conditions. Theconditions might be determined using one or more of the inputs throughinterface 42 noted above. Also, while one or more inputs might indicatea certain condition, such as location of the repeater, one or moreadditional inputs might be used to verify the condition. Such conditionsmight include for example:

-   -   Condition 1—Location within Cartographic Boundary1 (shape of        Switzerland)    -   Condition 2—Location within Cartographic Boundary 2 (boundary of        bigger city frequency planning zone)    -   Condition 3—Speed above 200 km/h (the repeater needs to follow        RSSI changes using a quick mode)    -   Condition 4—Speed below 2 km/h (the repeater is most likely not        in movement)    -   Condition 5—MCC is part of list {228} (repeater is located with        the reach of a BTS of Switzerland)    -   Condition 6—MNC is part of list {01,02,03,04,05,06,07,08,50,51}    -   Condition 7—Time is between 6 am and 11 pm (train hours of        operation)

In one embodiment, the export, import, and the display or viewing of theoperating conditions, such as the cartographic boundary files, isaccessible through the GUI 16 associated with the adaptive repeater 10.In determining the existence of certain operating conditions, theprocessor 50 of repeater system 10 provides verification and errorchecking. For example, there may be a check performed on whether aparticular number is within an allowed range or whether a cartographicboundary file constitutes an unsegmented area. Where a cartographicboundary is used in conjunction with the GUI 16, a cartographic boundarymay be used in conjunction with a map file as a background fororientation purposes.

Based on one or more inputs or other data through interface 42 thatreflect current operating conditions of the system, the system adaptsits operation or changes its configuration to adapt to the newconditions. That is, certain condition inputs/data and sets of inputs orconditions result in a change in the configuration of the repeatersystem. Generally, in one embodiment, the adaptation is automatic uponthe sensing of a change in the operating conditions of the system. Thecontroller 50 may affect such adaptation or change in the system byadapting one or more of the various configurable settings of the system.Certain configuration changes or configurable settings may include, forexample:

-   -   Setting the system or repeater filter to reflect certain bands        and subbands and the filter type.    -   Setting the system or repeater gain values (or the power level)        for different frequency subbands/filter sections.    -   Configuring the transmission properties, including network        details of the system.    -   Activating or deactivating certain system or repeater functions,        including signal transmission.    -   Entering specialized modes, such as the use of a fast gain        tracking algorithm using RSSI or pilot data at higher speeds

Other configurable settings might be changed and the present inventionis not limited to one or more particular settings. There are multipleways to implement the use of condition inputs and data to adaptivelyconfigure the repeater or other system. In one embodiment, eachconfiguration file that may be selected includes a complete list of theconfigurable settings or parameters for the repeater system. In anotherembodiment, one or more selectable configuration files may include onlya subset of the configurable settings or parameters. In such a subsetcase, the repeater system may revert to default settings and parametersfor those settings not included specifically in the configuration file.Alternatively, the repeater may leave settings that are not included inan implemented configuration file in the same condition as they were inbefore the new configuration file was implemented and the system wasadapted. That is, only some of the settings or parameters might beadapted while other settings might remain the same or change to adefault condition.

A condition set for causing adaptation may include a single condition ormultiple conditions. Multiple conditions may be arranged in a logicalargument fashion for selective adaptation. For some condition sets,satisfying at least one condition may satisfy the entire condition set(such as a logical “OR” series). For other condition sets, satisfyingthe condition set may require satisfying every condition in the set(such as a logical “AND” series). Other condition sets may be satisfiedby other logical combinations of conditions as will be understood by aperson of ordinary skill in the art, such as, for example, some ORconditions combined with one or more AND conditions. To that end, theprocessor may implement a series of condition sets in a particular orderto determine when and how to adapt or configure the repeater. As will beunderstood by a person of ordinary skill in the art, the invention isnot limited to particular sets of conditions or the order such sets andconditions are utilized for the purpose of adaptation.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an exemplary method for processing a seriesof condition sets and implementing an operational configurationaccording to the present conditions as detected by inputs to interface42 of the repeater system. As shown, the method includes differentcondition sets associated with a location within specific frequencyplanning zones, communication with specific base stations, a mobilevehicle moving at high travel speeds, and conditions where the repeaterdoes not need to transmit. The method illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B isonly one exemplary logic process and does not limit the scope of theinvention. A variety of different conditions may result in a variety ofdifferent configurations. A variety of logic operators, inputs, andevaluative criteria may be used to determine which configuration orconfigurations to use.

In the FIGS. 3A-3B and the table below, various logical criteria are setforth for adapting or configuring the repeater system in accordance withthe invention. For example, in block 60, conditions may be tested todetermine the location of the mobile communication system and the mobileenvironment and/or the position or location of the base station that themobile system is currently communicating with. For example, GPScoordinates for the mobile platform (e.g., a moving train) may indicatethe repeater system is in a particular cartographic boundary (e.g.,boundary 1, or a country or state). Or, a GPS input for the coordinatesof the base station may indicate that the repeater system is interfacingwith a base station located within a cartographic boundary 1 (forexample, the shape or country of Switzerland). Alternatively, as shownin block 60, the base station ID, which may be reflected in theparticular mobile country code (MCC=228), or a mobile network code (MNCis found in the list 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 50, 51) mayindicate that the base station is within a defined zone (i.e., zone 1).If at least one of such conditions is met affirmatively, then therepeater system might be adapted or configured with the configurablesettings of configuration 1, as indicated by block 62 in FIG. 3A. Thatis, configuration 1 is selected based upon the inputs/data regardingoperating conditions. The one or more configurable settings associatedwith the configuration are used to adapt the system. That is, thefilters might be set with respect to a particular frequency planningzone 1. Also, the network and signal parameters might be set accordingto zone 1 base station defaults.

Alternatively, if the conditions from the condition set reflected inblock 60 are not met, a further test might be made to determine whetherthe conditions from another condition set are met, such as from thecondition set indicated by block 64. As illustrated, current operatingconditions and inputs might be evaluated to determine if the repeatersystem is operating in a different boundary or zone. If so, the repeatersystem might be configured or adapted according to the settings of theconfiguration 2 set forth in block 66. That is, configuration 2 isselected. Alternatively, as indicated by blocks 68 and 72, the datathrough the interface 42 to the repeater system might be processed, andthereby indicate that the current operating conditions show that therepeater is currently communicating with a particular base station(e.g., base station A, base station B). If the repeater system iscommunicating with base station A, configuration 3 might be utilized asset forth in block 70 of FIG. 3A. Alternatively, configuration 4 mightbe utilized as set forth in block 74, when the computer system iscommunicating with base station B. As noted above, various base stationinformation, such as network ID codes, base station coordinates, signalproperties, and other input/data information, might be utilized todetermine the identity of a particular base station communicating withthe repeater system.

If previous condition sets are not met based upon evaluation of theoperating conditions, still other conditions, such as environmentalconditions, might also be monitored. For example, as in block 76 shownin FIG. 3B, information regarding the speed of the mobile system mightbe determined. For example, if the speed of the vehicle housing therepeater is in excess of 200 km/hour as indicate by block 76,configuration 5 might be utilized, as shown in block 78, so that therepeater system may use fast gain tracking algorithms for properinterfacing with a base station. Still other conditions might be tested,as shown in block 80. For example, the location of the mobile repeaterplatform, such as the operation or movement of the vehicle housing therepeater might be determined. For example, if the current time does notindicate operation of the vehicle according to an operational schedule,or if a GPS positioning indicates that the vehicle is within theboundary of a stationery location such as a train station, and the basestation signal strength is above a threshold, configuration 6 might beutilized as shown by block 82 in FIG. 3B. In that case, the uplink gainmight be reduced to 0 dB, and the transmission turned OFF, and therepeater placed in standby mode.

If none of the various condition sets are met, a default configuration,or configuration 0 might be used as shown in block 84 to set the defaultsettings for the repeater.

Condition Configuration GPS position given within boundary 1 Config1:Set filter to correspond to OR base station position within boundary 1subbands associated with frequency OR base station ID within zone 1planning zone 1; set network and signal parameters according to zone 1base station defaults GPS position given within boundary 2 Config2: Setfilter to correspond to OR base station position within boundary 2subbands associated with frequency OR base station ID within zone 2planning zone 2; set network and signal parameters according to zone 2base station defaults Communicating with Base Station A Config3: Setfilter to correspond to subbands associated with zone of Base Station A;network and signal transmission settings in line with Base Station ACommunicating with Base Station B Config4: Set filter to correspond tosubbands associated with zone of Base Station B; network and signaltransmission settings in line with Base Station B Speed in excess of 200kph Config5: Use fast gain tracking algorithm [Time not within operationschedule of Config6: Transmission off; repeater in vehicle OR standbymode GPS position given within boundary 3 (train station)] AND basestation signal strength above threshold None of the above Config0:Default settings for repeater

In one embodiment, the GUI 16 of the repeater 10 is operable to enter,view, and modify both the conditions of the condition sets, the setsthemselves, and configuration files used for adaptation to adapt theconfigurable settings of the mobile system. Alternatively, the repeater10 may receive condition sets and configuration files input by acentralized controller or other external source or device. Conditionsets and configurations and configuration files are easily edited orchanged, such as through the GUI, to suit the mobile environment inwhich the repeater operates. The configuration files contain informationor data regarding at least one of the configurable settings for therepeater system.

In one embodiment, the configuration or adaptation could be set entirelyby the determined location of the repeater 10. The logic control in thatcase could include multiple levels of configuration for differentlocation conditions. Within the vicinity of a specific coordinate (suchas a train station, harbor, base station, tunnel, airport, bus station,or the like), a configuration specific to that location is used. Forexample, if the repeater is at coordinates xy1, use configuration 100,or if it is at coordinates xy2, use configuration 200. Outside of suchspecific points but within a zone defining a particular region (such asa metropolitan area), a region-specific configuration is used. Forexample, in a zone defining a city or metropolitan area, differentconfigurations are used. Outside of a region but within a country orstate, a configuration appropriate to that country or state might beused. Outside of any defined cartographic boundary, a defaultconfiguration is used. In that way, multiple levels of geographic zonesare use. Any appropriate logic set can be used to match configurationsto any appropriate set of determined conditions and controller 50 may beconfigured in that way.

Conditions, condition sets, and related configuration files may bestored in memory in any appropriate format. The memory might exist asmemory 17 on the system or might be external and accessed by the systemby an appropriate interface. In one embodiment, condition sets may bestored and processed as XML files. Configuration sets or files for usefor use in the invention may be generated externally with some specificeditor. Then, upon certain conditions or condition sets being met, asdetermined by the inputs to interface 42 and processor 50, a particularconfiguration set or configuration file might be selected. Theconfigurable settings are then selected according to that configurationor configuration file. The repeater system 10 might be set up orconfigured for a particular set of conditions. That configuration setmay then be stored under a particular file name and then subsequentlyaccessed upon the need to adapt the repeater system based on currentoperating conditions. The various export, import, and display of thevarious configuration sets and files may be implemented utilizing theGUI. Cartographic boundary information may also be stored and evaluatedusing a geographic shape file. For example, a shape file such as theASCII format file on the census.gov website might be used. Otherformats, such as the formats offered by common GIS (geographicinformation system) software might be used. Shape files are alsoavailable, as would be understood by a person of ordinary skill in theart, and can be utilized in embodiments of the invention.

The repeater system 10 and processor 50 might also be configured so thatthe repeater system logs each configuration as it is used, with each logentry including the time and date (time-stamp), the configuration inuse, and the conditions that triggered the use of that configuration,such as the geographical position that caused the adaptation. A personof ordinary skill in the art in the use of mobile devices willappreciate the addition of a variety of functional features that followfrom the present disclosure.

The logic used by the controller 50 to determine when to alter therepeater configuration may include a hysteresis loop or otherprogramming to reduce or prevent oscillation between configurations whenthe system is near a condition boundary. Hysteresis may include, forexample, a minimum time spent in each configuration before theconfiguration can be changed. FIG. 4 illustrates the addition of a logicstep in the control process that requires that a new operating conditionbe met consistently for a period of time before the configuration of therepeater will change.

Although the disclosure herein discusses use of the invention withregard to a repeater, these same methods can be applied to basestations, distributed antenna systems, and other types of RFtransceivers and communication systems that operate in mobileenvironments.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description ofthe embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been describedin considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant torestrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to suchdetail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear tothose skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broaderaspects is not limited to the specific details representative apparatusand method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly,departures may be made from such details without departure from thespirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile communication system for repeating communication signals comprising: at least one receive antenna for receiving communication signals; processing circuitry for processing the received communication signals and repeating the signals for further transmission; at least one transmit antenna for transmitting the repeated signals; a plurality of selectable and defined configurations stored in a memory, the configurations each including a set of configurable settings for controlling the operation of the processing circuitry; a plurality of defined cartographic boundaries stored in memory, the plurality of cartographic boundaries including multiple levels of geographic zones of different sizes, a configuration from the plurality of configurations being associated with a respective geographic zone and at least one of the geographic zones associated with a stationary site within which the mobile communication system may become stationary; the processing circuitry further configured for utilizing at least one of the configurations and the respective set of configurable settings of the configuration for controlling the operation of the mobile communication system as it moves through a mobile environment; the processing circuitry further operable for receiving, over time, a plurality of inputs regarding a plurality of current operating conditions of the mobile communication system, wherein the operating condition inputs include at least one input representing a current geographical location of the moving mobile communication system; the configurations and respective sets of configurable settings being associated with a respective geographic zone in the multiple levels and the processing circuitry configured for using the plurality of current operating condition inputs and evaluating the inputs to determine the specific level and geographic zone that a current geographical location of the mobile communication system falls within, the processing circuitry configured for automatically selecting a configuration that is associated with the determined specific level and geographic zone and selectively adapting the operation of the system to the selected configuration based upon the current operating conditions or if the determined geographic zone is associated with the stationary site, selecting a standby configuration for the system; wherein the plurality of inputs regarding a plurality of current operating conditions additionally includes at least one input directed to the identification of at least on base station that is currently communicating with the mobile communication system; wherein the at least one input directed to the identification of at least one base station that is communicating with the mobile communication system includes information regarding at least one of: the location of the base station, a network property associated with the base station, and a signal property associated with the base station.
 2. The mobile communication system of claim 1 wherein the selective adaptation includes adapting the operation of the system with some of the configurable settings of the selected configuration and leaving at least one of the configurable settings of the system unchanged.
 3. The mobile communication system of claim 1 wherein the selective adaptation includes adapting the operation of the system with some of the configurable settings of the selected configuration and setting at least one of the configurable settings of the system to a default setting.
 4. The mobile communication system of claim 1 wherein at least one operating condition defines a condition of the system, the processing circuitry selecting a configuration and selectively adapting the operation of the system to the selected configuration when the at least one input indicates that the condition is met.
 5. The mobile communication system of claim 1 wherein a plurality of operating conditions define a condition set of the system, the processing circuitry selecting a configuration and selectively adapting the operation of the mobile communication system to the selected configuration when the condition set is satisfied.
 6. The mobile communication system of claim 5 wherein the condition set is stored in memory.
 7. The mobile communication system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of inputs regarding a plurality of current operating conditions additionally includes at least one input directed to the identification of at least one network that is currently communicating with the mobile communication system.
 8. The mobile communication system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of inputs regarding a plurality of current operating conditions additionally includes at least one input directed to environmental details of the mobile communication system.
 9. The mobile communication system of claim 8 wherein the at least one input directed to environmental details of the mobile communication system includes information regarding at least one of: the speed of a mobile platform containing the system, ambient temperature, time of day, traffic conditions on the system, the presence of obstacles to radio frequency transmission, and logistical information regarding a mobile platform containing the mobile communication system.
 10. The mobile communication system of claim 1 wherein the mobile communication system is a repeater.
 11. The mobile communication system of claim 1 wherein the mobile communication system is a distributed antenna system.
 12. A method of repeating communication signals in a mobile environment comprising: receiving communication signals with a mobile communication system; processing the received communication signals and repeating the signals for further transmission; transmitting the repeated signals with the mobile communication system; having stored in memory, a plurality of configurations, the configurations each including a set of configurable settings for controlling the operation of the processing of the communication signals; having stored in memory, a plurality of defined cartographic boundaries, the plurality of cartographic boundaries including multiple levels of geographic zones of different sizes, a configuration from the plurality of configurations being associated with a respective geographic zone and at least one of the geographic zones associated with a stationary site within which the mobile communication system may become stationary; utilizing at least one of the configurations and the respective set of configurable settings of the configuration for controlling the operation of the mobile communication system as it moves through the mobile environment; receiving, over time, a plurality of inputs regarding a plurality of current operating conditions of the mobile communication system, wherein the operating condition inputs include at least one input representing a current geographical location of the moving mobile communication system; the configurations and respective sets of configurable settings being associated with a respective geographic zone in the multiple levels and further including using the plurality of current operating condition inputs and evaluating the inputs to determine the specific level and geographic zone that a current geographical location of the mobile communication system falls within and automatically selecting a configuration that is associated with the determined specific level and geographic zone and selectively adapting the operation of the system to the selected configuration based upon the current operating conditions or if the determined geographic zone is associated with the stationary site, selecting a standby configuration for the system; wherein the plurality of inputs regarding a plurality of current operating conditions additionally includes at least one input directed to the identification of at least one base station that is currently communicating with the mobile communication system; wherein the at least one input directed to the identification of at least one base station that is communicating with the mobile communication system includes information regarding at least one of: the location of the base station, a network property associated with the base station, and a signal property associated with the base station.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the selective adaptation includes adapting the operation of the system with some of the configurable settings of the selected configuration and leaving at least one of the configurable settings of the system unchanged.
 14. The method of claim 12 wherein the selective adaptation includes adapting the operation of the system with some of the configurable settings of the selected configuration and setting at least one of the configurable settings of the system to a default setting.
 15. The method of claim 12 wherein the at least one operating condition defines a condition of the system and further comprising selecting a configuration and selectively adapting the operation of the system when the at least one input indicates that the condition is met.
 16. The method of claim 12 wherein a plurality of operating conditions define a condition set of the system and further comprising selecting a configuration and selectively adapting the operation of the mobile communication system to the selected configuration when the condition set is satisfied.
 17. The method of claim 12 wherein the plurality of inputs regarding a plurality of current operating conditions additionally includes at least one input directed to the identification of at least one network that is currently communicating with the mobile communication system.
 18. The method of claim 12 wherein the plurality of inputs regarding a plurality of current operating conditions additionally includes at least one input directed to environmental details of the mobile communication system.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the at least one input directed to environmental details of the mobile communication system includes information regarding at least one of: the speed of a mobile platform containing the system, ambient temperature, time of day, traffic conditions on the system, the presence of obstacles to radio frequency transmission, and logistical information regarding a mobile platform containing the mobile communication system. 